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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1301.0. "Cool/Cold Weather Gear" by TLE::WEISS (Dave Weiss -- ZKO(Nashua) DTN: 381-0058) Fri Sep 01 1989 14:28

Sorry for another topic, but I did dir/title="cloth" and got nothing,
so...

     I have just recently become a "serious" cyclist (i.e. I used to
be "serious" provided the weather was nice (read above 60 degrees)).
So now I would like some information on good clothes to buy/wear for
biking when the temperature get cool (down to anything as long as it's
not snowing and the wind chill isn't too bad).  I'm interested in
both tops and bottoms, but I'm not a person who is "into" buying clothes.
By not "into" I mean I don't really care about the latest 1990 biking
fashions, I just want to keep warm and not spend an arm and a leg (it's
hard to bike with 2 missing limbs :-) 

     A relevent point is that I tend to sweat ALOT, so I imagine dressing
in layers will help, so I need to know about both inner (absorbent) layers
and outer (windbreaking, I guess) layers. (Yea, I know, it's sort of like
an all over body diaper)

					Thanks Muchly,

					Dave
P.S. I imagine biking in the cold prepares one for ski season?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1301.1Lycra bottomsJUMBLY::MACFADYENRooted in realityFri Sep 01 1989 16:019
1301.2my garbUSCTR1::PJOHNSONFri Sep 01 1989 16:0412
    When the weather gets cool I recommend some lycra tights, neoprene
    boots to wear over your cleats, cheap cotten garden gloves will do if it's
    above 30 degrees, any windbreaker, polypro longsleave, and any T-shirt.
    One of those cycling caps with the fold-down ear flaps is also useful
    if it's below 40 degress (they're in the Nashbar catalog, not too
    expensive).
    
    The first few miles are sometimes cold, but once I warm up this outfit
    seems to be enough to get me through December.  After that I'm
    sentenced to the rollers for 2-3 months.
    
    Phil
1301.3I'm sure Chris Paulhus will also have some good suggestionsNOVA::FISHERTwice a BMB FinisherFri Sep 01 1989 16:1121
    I like to wear a wool jersey under a wool jacket.  My wool jackets
    have nylon wind shell.  When it get in the 20 to 40 F range I might
    where a polypro jersey under all that.
    
    I generally wear lycra tights when it's 40 - 60 F, tights with a fleece
    layer when it's 20 - 40, wool tights below 20 F.
    
    A wool or other cap with ear flaps is good to 30 F, below that consider
    a balaclava.
    
    Booties are great for below 50 F.  Performance has some insulated
    insoles which are good for below 40 F.
    
    Gloves are essential.
    
    And then if you take your bike off the wind trainer and go outdoors,
    you need your head examined ...  :-)
    
    Sorry, I couldn't resist.  I find the above to be usually sufficient.
    
    ed
1301.4goggles and indoorsTLE::WEISSDave Weiss -- ZKO(Nashua) DTN: 381-0058Fri Sep 01 1989 16:3613
A couple more related questions:

1)  Any of you people ever wear ski goggles to bike when it gets real cold?

2)  What kind of equipment is there for "indoor riding" (I've heard of
things called wind trainers, and other various and sundry things, but
I'm not sure what they are.  If you could include price ranges in the
descriptions, I would be most greatful!!


					Thanks once again,

					Dave.
1301.5EGYPT::CRITZGreg Lemond wins 2nd Tour de FranceFri Sep 01 1989 16:5031
    	RE: 1301.1
    
    	"Windbreaking"
    
    	Remind me never to ride behind you Dave. 8-)> Sorry, I couldn't
    	resist, especially because people who ride behind me say I break
    	a LOT of wind (because I so wide).
    
    	RE: 1301.4
    
    	Windtrainer - a stand on which you can attach you bike, usually
    	              with the front wheel removed. You attach the bike
    	              at the forks and at the bottom bracket. Once the 
    	              bike is tight, you can slide a shaft with two
    	              fans against the rear wheel for resistance.
    		      Because the windtrainer holds the bike, you can
    		      probably ride one of these things while daydreaming.
    		      Beware, these things are BORING.
    
    	Rollers - Basically, riding rollers is like riding on the road,
    		  except it take more concentration and skill. Rollers
    		  are made up of (usually) 3 cylinders attached by 1
    		  piece of steel on each side. Your rear wheel sits
    		  between the two rear rollers and you front wheel rides
    		  on the front roller. I've never ridden them (yet),
    		  but they take a while to get used to, basically
    		  because you have to balance the bike like you would
    	 	  on the road. Any miscue and you're off and usually
    		  down in a heap.
    
    	Scott
1301.6Goggles --- YESCSC32::T_DAWSONTomas Dawson DNT:522-4549Fri Sep 01 1989 17:349
    Goggles, you bet. Last winter we had a stretch of below 0 weather in
    C.S. (About 15 to 20 below at 5:30am when I commute). During this time
    goggles were a must along with - balaclava (SP), union  suit, turtle neck
    shirt, wool sweater, heavy gortex expedition shell, wool tights with
    nylon rain pants..... Looked like an Eskimo
    
    
    Largest pain was getting it all home in the afternoon when it all was
    not needed...
1301.7Laugh at the coldMCIS2::DELORIEACommon sense isn'tFri Sep 01 1989 18:3921
1301.8There are better things to do when it's coldCESARE::JOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 871-7473Fri Sep 01 1989 20:5110
    I agree with Tom's suggestions, only I suggest putting the road bike away
    when it's below 45 degrees, and taking up other sports.  (That's easier
    to say in Italy than in New England!)  Mountain biking is good for
    another 10 degrees or so (~35).  
    
    MATT
    
    PS - The most important thing is to protect your knees, even when 
         the temperature is as high as 55.  You can do real damage in the
         fall, without realizing it until a few hours after the ride.
1301.9There are also some warming creams availableGSFSWS::JSMITHSupport Bike Helmets for KidsMon Sep 04 1989 15:1914
re. 1301.8                  
    
>    PS - The most important thing is to protect your knees, even when 
>         the temperature is as high as 55.  You can do real damage in the
>         fall, without realizing it until a few hours after the ride.
    
    	I strongly agree since I have an ITB problem with my right knee.
    To protect it (keep it warm) as soon as it starts to get brisk I
    wear a neopreane (sp) cuff that you can pick up in a drug store or
    sports center for under $10.  If you do buy a pair for cold weather
    riding, get the ones with the hole in the middle.  My doctor says that
    for bike riding, the hole also helps to stabilize your knee cap.
    				
    							_Jerry
1301.10I don't ride under 50WITNES::HANNULAIs there Aerobics for Cats?Tue Sep 05 1989 12:018
    Bellwether makes some great winter riding pants.  They are made
    out of one of those fabrics that pulls the moisture away from your
    skin and still keeps you warm (polywick I think it's called), but
    on the front of the pants is this layer of windbreaker type material.
    They even have these neat little pleats over the knees to helpwith
    pedaling.   They even make matching jackets.
    
    	-Nancy
1301.11handout availableEUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO6B-2/T13 dtn 223-6871Tue Sep 05 1989 15:066
    	If you will send me your full mailstop/address, I'll mail you
    a copy of my "Cold and Wet Weather Clothing" workshop handout. It
    lists the principles of cold/wet weather clothing, suppliers, and
    suggestions for various temp. ranges. (I gave this workshop at the
    LAW Nat'l Rally in Salisbury and at NEAR this year.) 
    	If anyone else wants a copy, also send your mailstop. - Chris
1301.12Heavy WoolTALLIS::JBELLCarpa Deorum - suckerfish of the godsThu Sep 07 1989 15:5014
    I like the thick wool pants that I got at an Army surplus store.
    (I think that they are German army surplus)

    They have drawstrings around the ankles to keep the wind out,
    and they are thicker on the front of the knee and upper thigh
    than on the back.

    I also use them for skiing and winter hiking.
    $19.95 at Central Surplus.  Wot a deal.

    The only drawbacks are that they are heavy, and my girlfriend
    says that I look like a member of the Syrian army ski patrol.

    -Jeff Bell
1301.13re. .11 - lots of takersENGINE::PAULHUSChris @ MLO6B-2/T13 dtn 223-6871Fri Sep 29 1989 15:527
    re. .11  It never ceases to amaze me how much readership these notes
    get: a fair amount of participation, but much more readership. I
    have mailed out over 35 copies of the handout, some to people who have
    never written anything in this conference, to all over the US, and
    some to the UK, Europe and Oz.                                    
    	Moral: if you make an offer, don't be surprised at the acceptance!
                - Chris (having fun filling a couple of requests a week,still)
1301.14MCIS2::DELORIEACommon sense isn'tMon Oct 02 1989 13:097
>>    	Moral: if you make an offer, don't be surprised at the acceptance!
>>                - Chris (having fun filling a couple of requests a week,still)

	Tell me about it!!!!

	
	The jersey man ;^)